Because Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, refuses to hold face-to-face constituency meetings, the only way to hold a conversation is via letters sent through her website. I have tried this numerous times and the responses are often either nonsensical or nonresponsive, with no way to follow up on any statements she makes.
I recently wrote to her about joining the investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection being put together by the very same institution she is a member of. Quoting some of her response: It will be “a partisan committee made up of congresspeople running for re-election” — yes, that is true. That is what House committees are. Welcome to the U.S. House of Representatives.
And, “While I remain committed to finding the truth, I was unable to support this flawed effort.”
To this I must respond: if you are truly committed to finding the truth, and because your party rejected the joint commission, this is all there is. Wouldn’t your very presence — someone who supported the joint commission — go a long way toward balancing the partisan nature you are so concerned with?
Until something better comes along, your constituents need you to be part of the investigation into what actually happened. Put country ahead of party. Be part of the solution.
